Quick Laugh......

OK, it's not "ha ha" funny, but......

A letter to the editor in today's newspaper asks why car makers can't put in some electronic device that blocks cell phone usage while driving.  He notes the dangers and inconveniences of cell phone-using drivers:  "weaving all over the road at half the speed limit, blocking traffic, sitting at the green light until they finish dialing, or just not paying attention......"  Let me add causing fatal and near-fatal accidents.  I know, from personal experience.  What was it, four months ago, when some cell phone-using fool plowed into the back of my car, while I was at a stop light with cars stopped in front of me, too.  She was going full-tilt, maybe at 45 or 50 mph.  The limit there is 45 mph, but who goes the speed limit?  There was no screech of the brakes, so she was going "full-tilt."  My car was totaled, looking like an accordion front and back.  (She drove my rear bumper up to the back seat and forced my car into the car ahead of me, smashing the left half of my hood/engine to the windshield.)  And that lady fully admitted she was on the phone.  She rambled in front of me and the police officer, who kept looking at me out of the corner of his eye, as if to say, "Is she stupid or.....?", "I always tell my kids not to use their cell phones while driving.  Maybe I should follow my own advice."  Ya think??????

I think this letter writer is a little out of touch.  The car makers aren't going to install any such device (which could include a way to make 911 calls).  They are far too interested in adding more and more electronic diversions to cars.  Yes, there's a lot of money to be made in helping drivers become even more distracted.

A couple of weeks back there was a good article from an automotive writer, a self-admitted "car guy," about this--that is, the added distractions to driving.  Note the last paragraph.  Government puts ridiculously low blood-alcohol limits (In effect, I might be in big trouble if I have two beers with dinner within a couple of hours and then drive.) on driving, yet mandates all these electronic distractions.  Of course, the auto makers are fully on board with the diversions--Hey, man!  There's money to be made.

http://www.detroitnews.com/story/opinion/2015/06/11/peters-distracted-driving-problem/71025082/